BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Stevens Tech jumped out to an early 24-12 lead and then held off defending EPAC champion Northampton, 72-70, to earn a key conference victory on Saturday afternoon at the Arthur L. Scott Spartan Center.

The Spartans, behind 17 first half points from Malcolm Lyles (24 points), rebounded from the early 12-point deficit to take a 32-31 halftime lead. 

Stevens came out of the locker room after the intermission and regained the momentum, taking a 53-42 lead with just under 9 minutes remaining.  Northampton rallied and took a 56-55 lead with 6 minutes remaining on a Brent Maron (20 points) 3-pointer. The lead see-sawed back and forth with Stevens taking a 3 point lead before Astin Jones (5 points) hit a 3-pointer with 1:18 remaining to tie the game at 68.  Stevens then hit one of two free throws and a driving layup to take a 71-68 lead with 25 seconds remaining, before Maron hit two free throws to make it 71-70, Stevens with 18 seconds left.  Stevens then hit one of two free throws to take a 72-70 lead and Northampton's last shot bounced off the rim as time expired.

"Bottom line, Stevens wanted it more than us," lamented Mike Kaminski, "I think we played hard, but at crucial times it just seemed that Stevens was willing to lay it all on the line and we didn't.  We need to rebound from this and get ready for Montgomery." 

The loss drops Northampton to 10-6 overall, 7-3 in Region XIX and 8-3 in the EPAC.

Stevens improves to 4-10 overall, 4-4 in Region XIX and 4-5 in the EPAC.

The Spartans return to action on Tuesday when they travel to Montgomery County Community College for a 7pm conference tilt.  


BOX SCORE

Team	1st Half	2nd Half	OT	Final Score
Stevens (4-10)	31	41		72
Northampton (10-6)	32	38		70